Department of Homeland Security
Overview
This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). The duty location is Seattle, WA or Blaine, WA. This is an excepted service attorney position with promotion potential to GS-14. Location: Blaine, WA; Seattle, WA. Relocation expenses reimbursed: No. Telework eligibility: No. Travel: Occasional travel for mandatory training and to provide legal support or training in various field locations. Appointment type: Permanent. Service: Excepted. Salary: $83,104 to $181,956 per year (GS-11 to GS-14). Promotion potential: 14. Job family: 0905 Attorney. Open to: The public (U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.). Duties
Providing legal guidance to, and legal representation of, CBP in matters relating to CBP activities at ports of entry and between ports of entry (passenger, cargo, airmail, seaport environments). Performing legal research and applying laws, regulations, decisions, and guidance across the CBP portfolio (customs and admissibility, border search, immigration, national security and intelligence). Providing ethics guidance and representing CBP in administrative proceedings before EEOC, MSPB, FLAG, ALJs, and arbitrators involving matters such as discipline, discrimination, bargaining, and broker license revocation. Supporting the Department of Justice as agency counsel in civil and criminal actions (e.g., FOIA, asset forfeiture, immigration) by preparing litigation documents and participating in eDiscovery, motions, witness interviews, and settlement discussions. Developing and delivering legal training to CBP managers and employees on CBP activities and legal issues (e.g., ethics, disclosure, search and seizure, whistleblower protections). Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service. Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (residency rules described in the announcement). Background investigation may be required. DHS drug-free workplace policy applies. CBP ethics rules and conflict of interest rules apply; outside employment must be approved where applicable. E-Verify will be used for new hires. Bargaining Unit: Not covered by the bargaining unit. Qualifications
Applicant must be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Specialized Education: Recent law graduates may be appointed to attorney positions at GS-11 with additional qualifications (e.g., top third of class, Law Review, moot court involvement). An interim appointment of 14 months may be made pending bar admission. Experience: Includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work; applicable experiences are credited. Application must meet all qualification requirements by 09/26/2025. Background information: Federal employment background check and e-QIP process apply; political appointee disclosure may be required. Additional information
Residency: There is a residency requirement; exceptions may be requested under specific conditions (examples provided in the announcement). Education: See Qualifications and Required Documents for more information. Relocation: VRP lump-sum relocation option may be available for selectees; not available to new CBP employees. Career progression: General Attorney at full performance level GS-14; potential for GS-15 as applicable. Trial/Probationary period: May be required to serve 2 years. Travel: Required for training and field support as needed. Veterans Preference: Considered as a positive factor; no formal rating system in excepted service for attorney appointments. Departmental encouragement for applicants with disabilities and veterans to apply. Required documents
Applicants must provide a cover letter, resume in English (with full details), and transcripts. A writing sample (up to five pages) is also required. Specific document submission instructions are provided in the notice.
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This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). The duty location is Seattle, WA or Blaine, WA. This is an excepted service attorney position with promotion potential to GS-14. Location: Blaine, WA; Seattle, WA. Relocation expenses reimbursed: No. Telework eligibility: No. Travel: Occasional travel for mandatory training and to provide legal support or training in various field locations. Appointment type: Permanent. Service: Excepted. Salary: $83,104 to $181,956 per year (GS-11 to GS-14). Promotion potential: 14. Job family: 0905 Attorney. Open to: The public (U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.). Duties
Providing legal guidance to, and legal representation of, CBP in matters relating to CBP activities at ports of entry and between ports of entry (passenger, cargo, airmail, seaport environments). Performing legal research and applying laws, regulations, decisions, and guidance across the CBP portfolio (customs and admissibility, border search, immigration, national security and intelligence). Providing ethics guidance and representing CBP in administrative proceedings before EEOC, MSPB, FLAG, ALJs, and arbitrators involving matters such as discipline, discrimination, bargaining, and broker license revocation. Supporting the Department of Justice as agency counsel in civil and criminal actions (e.g., FOIA, asset forfeiture, immigration) by preparing litigation documents and participating in eDiscovery, motions, witness interviews, and settlement discussions. Developing and delivering legal training to CBP managers and employees on CBP activities and legal issues (e.g., ethics, disclosure, search and seizure, whistleblower protections). Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service. Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (residency rules described in the announcement). Background investigation may be required. DHS drug-free workplace policy applies. CBP ethics rules and conflict of interest rules apply; outside employment must be approved where applicable. E-Verify will be used for new hires. Bargaining Unit: Not covered by the bargaining unit. Qualifications
Applicant must be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Specialized Education: Recent law graduates may be appointed to attorney positions at GS-11 with additional qualifications (e.g., top third of class, Law Review, moot court involvement). An interim appointment of 14 months may be made pending bar admission. Experience: Includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work; applicable experiences are credited. Application must meet all qualification requirements by 09/26/2025. Background information: Federal employment background check and e-QIP process apply; political appointee disclosure may be required. Additional information
Residency: There is a residency requirement; exceptions may be requested under specific conditions (examples provided in the announcement). Education: See Qualifications and Required Documents for more information. Relocation: VRP lump-sum relocation option may be available for selectees; not available to new CBP employees. Career progression: General Attorney at full performance level GS-14; potential for GS-15 as applicable. Trial/Probationary period: May be required to serve 2 years. Travel: Required for training and field support as needed. Veterans Preference: Considered as a positive factor; no formal rating system in excepted service for attorney appointments. Departmental encouragement for applicants with disabilities and veterans to apply. Required documents
Applicants must provide a cover letter, resume in English (with full details), and transcripts. A writing sample (up to five pages) is also required. Specific document submission instructions are provided in the notice.
#J-18808-Ljbffr